In the industrial city Gresik, on October 18th 2009,
around twenty people gathered to watch and discuss the documentary No Volveran. This documentary tells a
story about the Venezuelan Revolution and the struggle of the Sanitarios
Maracay workers to occupy their factory and run it under workers’ control. The
enthusiasm of those present was evident. This could be seen in the discussion
following the screening. During the discussion, the attendee tried to draw a
connection from what has been done by the trade unions in Venezuela.

In the industrial city Gresik, on October 18th 2009,
around twenty people gathered to watch and discuss the documentary No Volveran. This documentary tells a
story about the Venezuelan Revolution and the struggle of the Sanitarios
Maracay workers to occupy their factory and run it under workers’ control. The
enthusiasm of those present was evident. This could be seen in the discussion
following the screening. During the discussion, the attendee tried to draw a
connection from what has been done by the trade unions in Venezuela.

The screening was initiated by the trade
union SPBI (Indonesian Workers Struggle Solidarity) in Gresik and Hands Off
Venezuela Indonesia; Jesus S. Anam from HOV was present as a speaker. Jesus S.
Anam explained the history of the movement in Venezuela and the gains of the
workers movement there, and what has been done by the Venezuelan working class
can be an inspiration for the workers in Indonesia, especially in Gresik.

In this discussion, the attendee tried to
reflect on the workers movement in Gresik. They said that they workers movement
in Gresik is still very much trapped in normative issues and many of its leaders
are dominated by yellow trade unions. Even though a common secretariat has been
formed but this has yet to solve the needs of the workers.

According to one of the attendee, the
political situation had become less and less favorable for the workers, and the
rampant outsourcing in Gresik as well as the apathy amongst the workers are the
main obstacles in building the trade unions in Gresik. The fundamental problem
faced by the workers is the absence of a revolutionary political leadership as
a tool for struggle.

The atomization of trade unions, according
to another attendee, has also become a stumbling block for the workers’
struggle. Furthermore, the alliance building between trade unions has always
been hindered by some trade union leaders who are more concerned about their
existence and also a pragmatic attitude.

At the end of the discussion, the audience
who were pessimistic before became consolidated. After watching No Volveran, there was an agreement to
close ranks by organizing political classes in the workers’ quarters regularly
once every two weeks. The audience, the majority of whom were workers, truly
got a fresh wind – that there is still a hope for the working class to struggle
for a common welfare.